"find the old guy" ... snork!!!

When I was making my first "real bike" buy, I test rode about a dozen bikes. At the very last shop, I rode a bike that felt better than all the rest... but then I was afraid that that was just because I was riding better. So I went and test rode the ones I had already tested.

I went back to that bike shop because they didn't feel as good and... that bike had been sold, and it was a "last year's model," so they didn't have one I could afford... but I asked, "why would it feel better?" and the guy said it was because Bianchi stems have a different angle... and promptly took a stem from a Bianchi and put it on the Giant I had just ridden... and yea! it was great!

It was a slow day and a small shop so I had two guys out there... and I asked about comfort for longer rides, since I had only ridden these things around the lot a few times. I was thinking back pain... and as the young guy kinda stared off into the distance, the old guy proceeded to tell me the importance of paying attention to whether there was pressure on the soft vaginal tissues... that you felt pressure on the bony stuff right away, but the soft tissues would really hurt you later.

Welp, that wasn't an issue right then, but years later when I was trying out a new saddle, I realized "This is what that old guy was talking about!!"

I still have that entry level GIant, with an Xtracycle Free Radical on it, and it gets 5000+ miles per year. (Everyhting but the frame's been replaced at some point or another, I b'lieve.) I also have a 7.5FX that I love for faster and longer rides.

So! I also think you are awesome for sticking to your guns and persevering ... this *is* a sweet obsession that will pay off. TEST RIDE. See what feels good.